Qantas confirms talks with Emirates

QANTAS has confirmed it's in talks with a number of airlines about potential alliances, including Dubai-based Emirates.

The airlines says making alliance partnerships stronger is one of the four pillars of the group's five-year strategy announced in August last year.

Qantas says it won't be making any other comment on the nature or status of the talks.

Shares in Qantas have soared following reports the airline was set to establish an alliance with Emirates, the world's largest international airline.

At 13.28 (AEST) on Thursday, Qantas shares were trading 9.5 cents, or 9.6 per cent, higher at $1.085.

The Australian Financial Review reported earlier today that Qantas was working on a tie-up with Emirates that could boost Qantas's ailing international operations.

A code-sharing deal would result in Qantas flying to Dubai, and Emirates transferring passengers to destinations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

The report said Qantas was set to withdraw from its last remaining port in mainland Europe, Frankfurt, and route many of its London flights through Dubai instead of Singapore.

The alliance would give Qantas the option of retiring aircraft early or pushing into Asia more aggressively.In June, Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce would not confirm or deny the flying kangaroo was in talks with Emirates about a commercial partnership.

Emirates president Tim Clark said at the time he was open to working with Qantas to try to expand Emirates' network in Oceania.

Qantas is on track to post its first loss since its full privatisation since 1995 because of heavy losses in its international arm.